New Scientist


Is district cooling the solution we need for extreme heat in cities?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:22:32 +0000

Networks of pipes carrying chilled water have proven to be an efficient way to cool hospitals and universities. Now, they are expanding into cities as heatwaves increase in the US and Europe


First-of-kind Guillain-Barré drug switches off part of immune system

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A treatment that turns off the bit of the immune system that goes haywire in Guillain-Barré syndrome may be the first targeted therapy approved for the autoimmune condition


Quantum computers are starting to become useful as scientific tools

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Three problems that are out of reach for conventional computers have been cracked by quantum computers and show how important the machines could become for scientific research


Flat head syndrome discovered in Iron Age skeletons

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Certain sleeping positions can lead to babies developing flattened heads, and an analysis of ancient skulls from Italy reveals that this condition affected people in the 9th century BC


Why the most central law in cosmology may need to be broken

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The cosmological principle is the foundation of modern cosmology – but its usefulness doesn’t necessarily make it true, says columnist Leah Crane


Spectacular fossil preserves internal organs of ancient marine reptile

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000

A stunningly intact marine reptile named Austronaga minuta that lived around 245 million years ago may have looked like a miniature version of more famous later ocean predators, like plesiosaurs


Our verdict on Claire North’s space opera Slow Gods: a big thumbs-up

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000

There was unusual consensus amongst New Scientist Book Club members about our read for July, with readers falling over themselves to praise this big-concept slice of science fiction


Worry about what your children eat, but don’t forget your own diet

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Measures like bans on advertising junk food to children are essential for instilling healthy eating at a young age, but we shouldn't let adults off the hook when it comes to improving our diets


Twisteddoodles on twin studies

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000

This week's cartoon from Twisteddoodles


Tom Gauld on the Great Wise One

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Tom Gauld's weekly cartoon